Smart threads can be woven into pressure-sensitive electronic skin for robots or medical prosthetics.
Fabrics containing flexible electronics are appearing in many novel products, such as clothes with in-built screens and solar panels. More impressively, these fabrics can act as electronic skins that can sense their surroundings and could have applications in robotics and prosthetic medicine. KAUST researchers have now developed smart threads that detect the strength and location of pressures exerted on them1.
Most flexible sensors function by detecting changes in the electrical properties of materials in response to pressure, temperature, humidity or the presence of gases. Electronic skins are built up as arrays of several individual sensors. These arrays currently need complex wiring and data analysis, which makes them too heavy, large or expensive for large-scale production.
Yanlong Tai and Gilles Lubineau from the University’s Division of Physical Science and Engineering have found a different approach. They built their smart threads from cotton threads coated with layers of one of the miracle materials of nanotechnology: single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).
“Cotton threads are a classic material for fabrics, so they seemed a logical choice,” said Lubineau. “Networks of nanotubes are also known to have piezoresistive properties, meaning their electrical resistance depends on the applied pressure.”
The researchers showed their threads had decreased resistance when subjected to stronger mechanical strains, and crucially the amplitude of the resistance change also depended on the thickness of the SWCNT coating.
These findings led the researchers to their biggest breakthrough: they developed threads of graded thickness with a thick SWCNT layer at one end tapering to a thin layer at the other end. Then, by combining threads in pairs—one with graded thickness and one of uniform thickness—the researchers could not only detect the strength of an applied pressure load, but also the position of the load along the threads.
“Our system is not the first technology to sense both the strength and position of applied pressures, but our graded structure avoids the need for complicated electrode wirings, heavy data recording and analysis,” said Tai.
The researchers have used their smart threads to build two- and three-dimensional arrays that accurately detect pressures similar to those that real people and robots might be exposed to.
“We hope that electronic skins made from our smart threads could benefit any robot or medical prosthetic in which pressure sensing is important, such as artificial hands,” said Lubineau.
Learn more: Threading the way to touch-sensitive robots
The Latest on: Pressure-sensitive electronic skin
[google_news title=”” keyword=”pressure-sensitive electronic skin” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Pressure-sensitive electronic skin
- Revolutionizing Industries: Electronic Skin Market Surges as Wearable Technology and Healthcare Embrace Sensing Abilitieson April 19, 2024 at 8:25 am
Electronic Skin Market revenue estimated at over US$ 500 million between 2018-2028 and is projected to see an aggressive CAGR of 20.7% in 2019.
- Vietnam Pressure Sensitive Tapes Market Growth Analysis, Size, Prominent Players, Overview, and Forecast to 2024 to 2032on April 18, 2024 at 4:36 am
Their hypoallergenic properties, breathability, and gentle adhesion make them suitable for use on sensitive skin and ... consumer of pressure sensitive tapes in Vietnam. These tapes are used for ...
- The 12 Best Electric Razors to Prevent Ingrown Hairon April 12, 2024 at 1:03 pm
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." As the weather starts to warm up and we begin trading winter coats for summer sundresses, many of us are ...
- Understanding Varicose Veins: The Basicson April 3, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Varicose veins are bulging, sometimes bluish veins that look like cords running just beneath the surface of your skin. They usually ... increasing pressure in the veins and the odds of buildup ...
- Apple Ringon March 30, 2024 at 5:13 pm
In a patent for "Skin-to-Skin Contact Detection" granted ... Granted in August 2023, the "Ring input device with pressure-sensitive input" patent describes a device that could not only provide ...
- Preventive Skin Care for Older Adultson March 27, 2024 at 5:01 pm
Abstract and Introduction Description of Pressure Sores, Skin Tears, and Dry Skin Assessment of Pressure Ulcers and Skin Tears Conclusion References Description of Pressure Sores, Skin Tears ...
- Understanding Electronic Skinon February 27, 2024 at 10:12 am
Advances in materials science have enabled e-skin to be sensitive ... detect the pressure needed to grasp different objects, allowing users to perform tasks with greater precision and sensitivity.
- The 10 best razors for men with sensitive skin, plus grooming expert tipson August 28, 2023 at 11:56 am
It also has guard sensor to which pressure to apply while you ... but are not recommended for sensitive skin.” “Electric trimmers and electric foil shavers are a good alternative for razors ...
- 13 best electric shavers for men, tried and tested for sensitive, wet and dry skinon May 10, 2023 at 5:05 am
Don’t press too hard: Electric shavers require only light pressure to get the job done. Let the shaver do the work for you, to limit skin irritation. Don’t save sensitive bits until last ...
- How to use a gua sha and find the stone best suited to youon January 4, 2023 at 4:00 pm
LED face masks and electronic ... the skin and cause inflammation. For example, the skin around the eye is very thin so I would only scrape it every three days. W*: Any other tips to get the best ...
via Bing News